How to optimise iCloud storage on my Mac mini?

iCloud is designed as a synchronization service, and as a place to store iPhone/iPad backups. With a lot of the stuff that you're synchronizing, you need to have it stored both in iCloud storage – and also locally, on each Mac, iPad, or iPhone synchronized through that iCloud (Apple ID) account.

That said,

• On versions of macOS prior to Sonoma, you can right-click on a file in iCloud Drive which has a local copy (these are the files without cloud download icons) and "Remove Download". That removes the local copy of the file. To use the file again, you must download it again.
• In Sonoma, Apple changed things so that this feature is disabled unless you enable "Optimize Mac Storage". (Based upon the screen shot that FoxFifth posted, looks like a second "switch similar to the Photos / iCloud Photos one.)
• On the iPhone or iPad, you can "Remove Download" on iCloud Drive files using the Files app (see linked article).

Delete files or recover deleted files in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

https://eclecticlight.co/2023/09/26/apple-has-released-macos-14-sonoma/

With iCloud Photos, you cannot manually delete a photo from one device, and have the original remain safely in iCloud or on your other devices. Deleting a photo or video in one place is a request to delete it everywhere.

You can use the "Optimize Mac Storage" switch in Photos > Settings… > iCloud to let the system substitute low-quality local copies for full-size local copies when you are running low on space. The idea is that you can re-download full-size copies on demand. Note that even if you turn on "Optimize Mac Storage", the system will still store a lot of photo and video files on your Mac.

Tony Rees wrote:

I recently had an internet blackout, but I was unable to look at my Photos as they were "stored in iCloud" Everywhere I read about "optimise storage" which I dont want, but I cannot find it on my Mac . Everyone including Apple say " go to settings - storage" etc a they say you see this - see below -but I dont see that at all. I see - 2nd screenshot - no mention of store in iCloud, no mention of optimise storage, just the mention of trash. Am I missing something, because I have plenty of storage on my iMac and want full res photos on the iMac not in iCloud!

...

For Photos on a Mac, open the Photos app, click Settings (or Preferences on older versions) in the Photos menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen, click iCloud at the top of the Settings/Preferences window, click "Download Original to this Mac" to turn off "Optimize Mac Storage" for Photos.

There are two "Optimize" settings. One is in in the iCloud tab in the Settings dialog (Photos > Settings…) for the Photos application. That one is for iCloud Photos. The other is in (Your name) > iCloud in the System Settings application. That one seems to pertain to iCloud Drive.

I recently had an internet blackout, but I was unable to look at my Photos as they were "stored in iCloud" Everywhere I read about "optimise storage" which I dont want, but I cannot find it on my Mac . Everyone including Apple say " go to settings - storage" etc a they say you see this - see below -but I dont see that at all. I see - 2nd screenshot - no mention of store in iCloud, no mention of optimise storage, just the mention of trash. Am I missing something, because I have plenty of storage on my iMac and want full res photos on the iMac not in iCloud!

make sure, whatever you do, to be careful with iCloud drive applied to reproduce on all devices. if you erase somewhere, it may erase everywhere.

i have lost precious work that way, trying to remove something one a macbook and thinking it would remain on my mac mini.

Thanks to a third party (Backblaze) I was able to recover. As unacceptable as it may sound, considering the cost of iCloud Drive, once gone, there is absolutely NO going back, whether within days or 10 seconds. Unless this has changed since January, that was the case.

re: "if you erase somewhere, it may erase everywhere. "

It WILL erase everywhere that has iCloud Drive turned on. That is what it is designed to do. It is a syncing service.

re: "there is absolutely NO going back, whether within days or 10 seconds."

If within 30 days you should be able to use an internet browser and log into iCloud.com, click your user icon there, then click "Data Recovery" there, then click "Restore files." That isn't new and has been available for years.

Thanks for your reply. I found both locations for “optimize storage” and switched both off as I want everything on my iMac. Warning to others if you lose internet a lot of “stuff” could be stuck on iCloud. I know Apple doesn’t read these posts but someone should let them know about having check storage in 2 locations now, or at least in sonoma.

No. iCloud Drive will store some files on your local drive if there is space. See the description below from the Mac settings Optimize option.

Many thanks, I’ll give it a go. I wonder why Apple has moved this, and not changed their own advice, because they keep saying that OPTIMIZE STORAGE is in GENERAL settings?? Will give it a go - thanks